US12498188B2

US12498188B2 - Charging handle for a firearm

Info

Publication number: US12498188B2
Application number: US18/981,561
Authority: US
Inventors: Austin Menard; Brandon Elias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-12-20
Filing date: 2024-12-15
Publication date: 2025-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2044-12-15
Also published as: US12492874B2; US20250207877A1; US20250207876A1

Abstract

The charging handle includes a latch assembly and a plunger that locks the latch assembly, preventing a lever of the latch assembly from rotating and thereby transitioning the latch from the relaxed position, in which the latch can engage the receiver of the firearm, to the released position. This configuration prevents the charging handle from inadvertently pulling the bolt carrier group of the firearm out of battery when snagged, which might otherwise render the firearm inoperable due to unintended operation of the charging handle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/612,636, filed on Dec. 20, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a charging handle for a firearm. More particularly, it concerns an improved charging handle for Stoner-type firearms, including AR-10 type, AR-15 type, and M4 type firearms, as well as their clones and derivatives.

BACKGROUND

The charging handle of a firearm, such as an AR15 type rifle, enables the user to manually manipulate the bolt carrier group. Its primary functions include chambering a round from the magazine, clearing the chamber, and resetting the hammer. Additionally, the charging handle can assist in resolving malfunctions by allowing manual cycling of the bolt carrier group.

Unintended movement of the charging handle in Stoner-type rifles can occur when a lever of the charging handle snags on equipment worn by the user or on environmental surroundings during operation. Such unintended movement may pull the bolt carrier group out of battery, cause a misfeed, or result in other malfunctions, rendering the firearm inoperable.

Accordingly, there is a need for the charging handle disclosed herein. The present invention is directed to providing a charging handle configured to address these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

Implementations of a charging handle for a firearm, such as an AR-15 type rifle, are disclosed. The charging handle includes a latch assembly and a plunger that locks the latch assembly, preventing a lever of the latch assembly from rotating and thereby transitioning the latch from the relaxed position, in which the latch can engage the receiver of the firearm, to the released position. This configuration prevents the charging handle from inadvertently pulling the bolt carrier group of the firearm out of battery when snagged, which might otherwise render the firearm inoperable due to unintended operation of the charging handle.

An example charging handle comprises: a body, the body including a receiving area and a recess; a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage a bolt carrier group of the firearm; a first lever pivotally coupled to the body; a latch pivotally coupled to the body, the latch having a relaxed position and a released position, and comprising a latch arm and a hook arm, with at least a portion of the latch arm disposed within the receiving area of the body; and a plunger slidably disposed within the recess of the body, the plunger having a resting position and a depressed position. In the resting position, the plunger prevents rotation of the first lever. In the depressed position, the plunger allows rotation of the first lever, permitting the first lever to transition the latch from the relaxed position to the released position upon being pulled.

Another example charging handle comprises: a body, the body including a receiving area and a recess; a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage a bolt carrier group of the firearm; a first lever pivotally coupled to the body; a second lever pivotally coupled to the body; a latch pivotally coupled to the body, the latch having a relaxed position and a released position, and comprising a latch arm and a hook arm, with at least a portion of the latch arm disposed within the receiving area of the body; and a plunger slidably disposed within the recess of the body, the plunger having a resting position and a depressed position. In the resting position, the plunger prevents rotation of the first lever and the second lever. In the depressed position, the plunger allows rotation of the first lever and the second lever, permitting either or both levers to transition the latch from the relaxed position to the released position upon being pulled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a charging handle according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the charging handle, taken along line 6-6 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a portion of the charging handle shown in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is another exploded perspective view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 9 is yet another perspective view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 is another top plan view of the charging handle shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the charging handle, taken along line 11-11 shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 11A is an enlarged view of a portion of the charging handle shown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the charging handle body.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-6 and 7-11 illustrate an example charging handle 100 according to the principles of the present disclosure. The charging handle 100 is configured for use with an AR-15 type firearm. However, with minor modifications, some of its features could be adapted for use with other firearms.

The charging handle 100 comprises a body 110, a central shaft 120, and a latch assembly that includes a latch 130, a first lever 140, a second lever 150, and a plunger 160. The body 110 is disposed behind the central shaft 120, which extends forward from the body 110. The two levers (140, 150) and the latch 130 are pivotally coupled to the body 110; the plunger 160 is slidably disposed within a recess 114 in the back end of the body 110. When in a resting position, where the plunger 160 is not depressed, the plunger 160 is configured to prevent rotation of the levers 140, 150 (see, e.g., FIG. 6 ). When the plunger 160 is in a depressed position, the latch assembly is configured to allow either or both levers (140, 150) to be pulled, transitioning the latch 130 from a relaxed position (as shown in FIG. 3 ), where the latch 130 can engage the receiver of a firearm, to a released position (see, e.g., FIG. 10 ), which permits the normal operation of the charging handle 100.

The body 110 of the charging handle 100 includes a receiving area 112, the recess 114 for the plunger 160, and a plurality of apertures for fasteners (e.g., roll pins) used to connect the latch 130, levers (140, 150), and plunger 160 to the body 110. The body 110 has an upper portion 110 a and a lower portion 110 b, which is spaced apart from and located below the upper portion 110 a (see, e.g., FIG. 12 ). The upper portion 110 a and the lower portion 110 b define therebetween the receiving area 112, the purpose of which will be described in greater detail below. The recess 114 for the plunger 160 is disposed in the upper portion 110 a of the body 110.

The central shaft 120 of the charging handle 100 includes a bolt carrier group engaging portion 122, a pair of alignment tabs 124, an aperture 126, and a longitudinal groove 128.

The bolt carrier group engaging portion 122 of the central shaft 120 is disposed toward a front end of the charging handle 100. The bolt carrier group engaging portion 122 engages the bolt carrier group of a firearm, such as an AR-15 type rifle, by interfacing with the charging handle engaging portion on the bolt carrier. The charging handle engaging portion is a projection on the bolt carrier; the bolt carrier being configured to carry a bolt of the bolt carrier group.

The pair of alignment tabs 124 are disposed on opposite sides of the central shaft 120 and assist in aligning the central shaft 120 in a particular direction within a slot in the upper receiver of a firearm, such as an AR-15 type rifle. Each alignment tab 124 is a projection extending from a side surface of the central shaft 120 that fits within a corresponding longitudinal recess in the upper receiver for slidable forward and backward movement of the charging handle 100 relative to the upper receiver.

The aperture 126 of the central shaft 120 is disposed within the bolt carrier group engaging portion 122 and is configured to receive the gas key of the bolt carrier therethrough. The aperture 126 provides clearance for the gas key, ensuring the charging handle 100 can properly engage with the bolt carrier.

The longitudinal groove 128 of the central shaft 120 extends from the aperture 126 to the body 110 of the charging handle 100, and is an otherwise well-known feature of charging handles configured for use with an AR-15 type firearm.

The latch 130 is pivotally coupled to the body 110 of charging handle 100 by a pin, or other suitable fastener. The latch 130 includes a latch arm 132, a hook arm 134, and a hook 136. The latch arm 132 is an elongate shaft that has a cam surface 138 on one side. The hook arm 134 includes an aperture 135 configured to receive the pin about which the latch 130 pivots. The hook 136 projects laterally from the hook arm 134 and is configured to engage a latch depression on the side of the upper receiver of an AR-15 type firearm. When the hook 136 engages the latch depression, the charging handle 100 is prevented from moving rearward and is effectively locked in position relative to the upper receiver. The latch arm 132 is disposed within the receiving area 112 of the body 110 of the charging handle 100, and is held there by the pin extending through the aperture 135 in the hook arm 134 of the latch 130.

The first lever 140 and the second lever 150 of the charging handle 100 are pivotally coupled to opposite sides of the body 110. Each lever (140, 150) has an aperture (142, 152) configured to receive a pin about which the lever (140, 150) pivots; the pin passes through apertures in the body 110 and the aperture (142, 152) in the lever (140, 150) to secure the lever to the body 110 of the charging handle 100. Respective bias elements (e.g., compression springs) bias the first lever 140 and the second lever 150 toward their relaxed positions (see, e.g., FIG. 3 ). The first bias element 144 is positioned within a receptacle 116 in the body 110 angled so that an end of the first biasing element 144 acts on the first lever 140; the second bias element 154 is positioned within a receptacle 118 in the body 110 angled so that an end of the second biasing element 154 acts on the second lever 150.

The first lever 140 and the second lever 150 each include an arcuate front surface (146, 156) that, in some implementations, is textured to provide a positive tactile gripping surface when the charging handle 100 is actuated by the user. The arcuate front surfaces (146, 156) allow the user to engage the first lever 140 and/or the second lever 150 with one or more fingers. Example textures that may be applied to the front surfaces (146, 156) of the levers (140, 150) include, but are not limited to, a plurality of ribs, grooves, bumps or tactile serrations. As discussed in greater detail below, when the plunger 160 is depressed, applying at least a predetermined threshold force rearward (e.g., with one or more fingers) to the first lever 140, the second lever 150, or both the first lever 140 and the second lever 150, releases the latch 130 from the latch depression in the upper receiver, allowing the charging handle 100 to be pulled rearward.

Both the first lever 140 and the second lever 150 also include a stop arm (145, 155) and a biasing arm (148, 158). Each stop arm (145, 155) is a shaft with an end (145 a, 155 a) configured to interface with the plunger 160 of the charging handle 100. Each biasing arm (148, 158) is an elongate shaft having a radiused end (148 a, 158 a). As shown best in FIG. 11A, the ends (148 a, 158 a) of the biasing arms (148, 158) nest together, allowing both biasing arms (148, 158) to simultaneously contact the cam surface 138 of the latch 130. In this context, “nest” refers to the overlapping of the ends (148 a, 158 a) of the biasing arms (148, 158) (see, e.g., FIG. 11A).

The plunger 160 includes an actuator portion 162, a slot 164 that extends through the plunger 160, a pair of opposing cutouts (166, 168), and a guide boss 170. The actuator portion 162 is textured to provide a tactile contact surface. The plunger 160 is slidably retained within the recess 114 of the body 110 by a pin extending through both the body 110 and the slot 164 in the plunger 160. The first cutout 166 and the second cutout 168 are disposed on opposite sides of the plunger 160. Each cutout (166, 168) is configured to receive the end (145 a, 155 a) of the adjacent stop arm (145, 155) when the plunger is in the depressed position, and includes a radiused surface. The guide boss 170 is slidably received within a guide groove 172 located in the recess 114 of the body 110 and includes two cylindrical receptacles (174, 176). A biasing element, such as a compression spring, is positioned within each cylindrical receptacle (174, 176). The two biasing elements together generate a restoring force that urges the plunger 160 away from the guide groove 172 in the recess 114, causing the actuator portion 162 of the plunger 160 to extend outward from the recess 114 of the charging handle 100.

Operation and Use

When the charging handle 100 is assembled, the biasing arm 148 of the first lever 140 and the biasing arm 158 of the second lever 150 are positioned within the receiving area 112 of the body 110. The first lever 140 and the second lever 150 are configured such that both biasing arms (148, 158) remain in contact with the cam surface 138 on the latch arm 132. While the plunger 160 is in the resting position (as shown in FIG. 1 ), pulling either lever (140 or 150) causes its respective stop arm (145 or 155) to contact a side surface of the plunger 160, thereby preventing rotation of the pulled lever(s) (see, e.g., FIG. 6A).

When the plunger 160 is in the depressed position, applying a sufficient rearward force to the first lever 140, the second lever 150, or both, causes the first biasing arm 148 and/or the second biasing arm 158 to press against the latch arm 132, thereby urging the latch 130 into the released position (see, e.g., FIGS. 10 and 11 ). At the same time, the end (145 a, 155 a) of the stop arm (145, 155) on the pulled lever(s) rotates into the adjacent cutout (166, 168) in the side surface of the plunger 160, allowing the lever(s) to rotate (see, e.g., FIG. 11A).

When the latch 130 is biased into the released position, the latch biasing mechanism, a compression spring 178 housed within a cavity in the body 110, is compressed. This compression generates a restoring force that urges the latch 130 to return to its relaxed position once the force applied by the user to the first lever 140 and/or the second lever 150 is sufficiently reduced.

Although not shown, in some implementations, the latch assembly of the charging handle 100 may omit the second lever 150 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The foregoing description of the invention is intended to be illustrative; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the foregoing description and associated drawings.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A charging handle for a firearm, the charging handle comprising:

a body, the body including a receiving area and a recess;

a central shaft extending forwardly from the body, the central shaft being configured to engage a bolt carrier group of the firearm;

a first lever pivotally coupled to the body;

a latch pivotally coupled to the body, the latch having a relaxed position and a released position, and comprising a latch arm and a hook arm, with at least a portion of the latch arm disposed within the receiving area of the body; and

a plunger slidably disposed within the recess of the body, the plunger having a resting position and a depressed position;

wherein:

in the resting position, the plunger prevents rotation of the first lever; and

in the depressed position, the plunger allows rotation of the first lever, permitting the first lever to transition the latch from the relaxed position to the released position upon being pulled.

2. The charging handle of claim 1, wherein the plunger includes an actuator portion.

3. The charging handle of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element urging the plunger toward the resting position.

4. The charging handle of claim 1, wherein:

the first lever includes a stop arm;

the plunger includes a first cutout; and

the first cutout is configured to receive an end of the stop arm when the plunger is in the depressed position.

5. The charging handle of claim 1, wherein:

the receiving area of the body is defined between an upper portion and a lower portion of the body; and

the recess for the plunger is disposed in the upper portion of the body.

6. The charging handle of claim 5, wherein:

the recess of the body includes a guide groove; and

the plunger includes a guide boss that slidably engages the guide groove.

7. A charging handle for a firearm, the charging handle comprising:

a body, the body including a receiving area and a recess;

a first lever pivotally coupled to the body;

a second lever pivotally coupled to the body;

wherein:

in the resting position, the plunger prevents rotation of the first lever and the second lever; and

in the depressed position, the plunger allows rotation of the first lever and the second lever, permitting either or both levers to transition the latch from the relaxed position to the released position upon being pulled.

8. The charging handle of claim 7, wherein the plunger includes an actuator portion.

9. The charging handle of claim 7, further comprising a biasing element urging the plunger toward the resting position.

10. The charging handle of claim 7, wherein:

the first lever includes a first stop arm;

the second lever includes a second stop arm;

the plunger includes a first cutout and a second cutout;

the first cutout is configured to receive an end of the first stop arm when the plunger is in the depressed position; and

the second cutout is configured to receive an end of the second stop arm when the plunger is in the depressed position.

11. The charging handle of claim 7, wherein:

the recess for the plunger is disposed in the upper portion of the body.

12. The charging handle of claim 11, wherein:

the recess of the body includes a guide groove; and

the plunger includes a guide boss that slidably engages the guide groove.